Match Preview: Newcastle v Club Brugge

Newcastle United entertain Club Brugge on Thursday night, hoping to continue their unbeaten start to Group D of the Europa League.

Following a goalless draw away at Maritimo and a resounding home victory over Bordeaux, the Magpies face the Belgian outfit at St. James' Park (8.05pm kick-off).

But it will be no easy task for Alan Pardew's men, against a Brugge side who have only suffered two defeats this season.

STAT ATTACKThursday's game is United's 125th in Europe (101st in UEFA competitions) with Brugge being the 176th different side the Magipes have met competitively. They are also Newcastle's 60th different opponents in European football and the fifth Belgian side they have faced (after Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp, Sporting Lokeren and Zulte Waragem).

TICKET NEWSTickets for this fixture are still available. For more information, click here.

NEWCASTLE UNITED'S RECORD IN EUROPEP124 W71 D24 L29 F213 A120

FORM GUIDE(Last six games - all competitions)Newcastle - DLWDLWClub Brugge -LDWDWW

Club Brugge - Goalkeeper Bojan Jorgacevic is a doubt with an abdomin injury, while Ryan Donk (groin), Jim Larsen (groin), Fredrik Stenman (Achilles), Niki Zimling (calf), Thomas Meunier (ankle) and Mohammed Tchite (dislocated finger) are all expected to be ruled out. The Blauw-Zwart have no suspensions.

A WORD FROM BOTH CAMPSAlan Pardew, Newcastle manager: "We have to respect that Brugge are top of their league. We did that with Bordeaux and put a team out that was very strong, I thought. The same will go against Brugge. We've approached this competition from the start with energy and a smile. We want to enjoy it and so far we have."

George Leekens, Club Brugge manager: "We know that from the first minute to the last, we will have to be at our best and if you know football, that's the history of English football. They have a great team, a great stadium and we are coming here to try to enjoy it because football is about the game. It's nice to see this club growing - but we are not coming here for a holiday, we are coming here to play football."